diff --git a/core/res/AndroidManifest.xml b/core/res/AndroidManifest.xml
index f2c2675c834d9..8457c2a570bdc 100644
--- a/core/res/AndroidManifest.xml
+++ b/core/res/AndroidManifest.xml
@@ -3626,6 +3626,11 @@
     <permission android:name="android.permission.OBSERVE_ROLE_HOLDERS"
                 android:protectionLevel="signature|installer" />
 
+    <!-- Allows an application to manage the companion devices.
+         @hide -->
+    <permission android:name="android.permission.MANAGE_COMPANION_DEVICES"
+                android:protectionLevel="signature" />
+
     <!-- @SystemApi Allows an application to use SurfaceFlinger's low level features.
          <p>Not for use by third-party applications.
          @hide
diff --git a/packages/Shell/AndroidManifest.xml b/packages/Shell/AndroidManifest.xml
index ff91c797e9b10..3f6b8040e8647 100644
--- a/packages/Shell/AndroidManifest.xml
+++ b/packages/Shell/AndroidManifest.xml
@@ -184,6 +184,7 @@
     <uses-permission android:name="android.permission.READ_CLIPBOARD_IN_BACKGROUND" />
     <!-- Permission needed to wipe the device for Test Harness Mode -->
     <uses-permission android:name="android.permission.ENABLE_TEST_HARNESS_MODE" />
+    <uses-permission android:name="android.permission.MANAGE_COMPANION_DEVICES" />
 
     <uses-permission android:name="android.permission.MANAGE_APPOPS" />
 
diff --git a/services/companion/java/com/android/server/companion/CompanionDeviceManagerService.java b/services/companion/java/com/android/server/companion/CompanionDeviceManagerService.java
index 54a3ecb226872..067becbf0c529 100644
--- a/services/companion/java/com/android/server/companion/CompanionDeviceManagerService.java
+++ b/services/companion/java/com/android/server/companion/CompanionDeviceManagerService.java
@@ -660,6 +660,11 @@ public class CompanionDeviceManagerService extends SystemService implements Bind
                 + "associate USER_ID PACKAGE MAC_ADDRESS\n"
                 + "disassociate USER_ID PACKAGE MAC_ADDRESS";
 
+        ShellCmd() {
+            getContext().enforceCallingOrSelfPermission(
+                    android.Manifest.permission.MANAGE_COMPANION_DEVICES, "ShellCmd");
+        }
+
         @Override
         public int onCommand(String cmd) {
             switch (cmd) {